Armed Motorist Accused of Causing Crash That Closed Intersection by Rochester Walmart

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Charges have been filed in connection to a crash last month that closed an intersection by a Rochester Walmart. 

Read More: Crash Closes Intersection Near Rochester Walmart 

Rochester police reported three vehicles were involved in the collision shortly before 8 a.m. on October 25. Limited information released by law enforcement indicated two people suffered “significant injuries.”

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday, has revealed new details regarding the three vehicle crash. 

Get our free mobile app

Driver Charged in Rochester Injury Crash Ran Red Light at 90-100mph, Charges Say

The crash occurred near Rochester’s north Walmart at the intersection off 55th St. and Chateau Rd. NW.

A vehicle heading east on 55th St., estimated by witnesses to be traveling 90-100mph, collided with a vehicle that had a green light to enter the intersection, the complaint says. 

The suspect vehicle then hit a third vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. 

A witness told officers the driver of the suspect vehicle, identified as 26-year-old Sufi Abdi Sufi of Rochester, opened the driver’s side door and slumped out of the vehicle.

See Also: Rochester City Council Denies Request to Remove Three Buildings from Historic District 

Sufi asked the witness, who had walked over to the crash scene, to hide a firearm he had in his pocket. When the witnesses refused, Sufi threw the gun into the vehicle he was driving, the complaint says.

Responding officers found the pistol in the vehicle and determined it had been reported stolen out of Dodge Center. The magazine was forced into the magazine chamber backwards, the charges say. 

Sufi was described as “badly injured” and was lying next to the vehicle when officers arrived. Police found a live ammunition round next to Sufe and searched him for weapons, the complaint says. 

Officers found live rounds of ammunition in Sufi’s pockets before he was transported to St. Mary’s hospital, where he had dropped another live round on the floor of his hospital room, the complaint says. 

Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood draw and have sent the sample to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 

The occupant of the first vehicle struck by Sufi suffered a broken ankle, bruised or broken ribs, a possible broken collarbone, an inflation problem with her lung and other injuries in the crash, the complaint says. She was brought to a hospital for further care. 

Two occupants in the third vehicle reported injuries, including chest pain from the airbag deployment. An update on their conditions is not available, the court document says. 

Sufi is charged with felony criminal vehicular operation negligence and gross misdemeanor carrying a pistol without a permit. 

He made his first court appearance Monday and posted his $15,000 bail, according to court records. Sufi is due back in court early next year.